Cops raid sand mafia outfit, seize 48 boats, sand worth Rs. 60 lakh

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 29, 2018: In a major crackdown on sand mafia, DK police raided a secret sand mining hideout on Wednesday 28th March and seized country boats and illicitly harvested river sand together worth about Rs. 60 lakhs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The raid was conducted at a remote location called Badaga Bellur in Bantwal Rural Police Station limits according to a communiqué issued by the office of the Superintendent of Police, DK. District.


On receiving specific tip off regarding the illegal activity, a raiding party comprising officers and personnel from Rural Police Station immediately rushed to the spot but the culprits saw the approaching policemen and managed to escape from the spot. 


The officers seized one country boat and also informed revenue and geology authorities. Then they decided to investigate more boats which were anchored on the opposite side of the river bank. Here they found 15 boats completely filled and 33 boats partially filled with river sand. In all 48 country boats were confiscated and the revenue and geology department authorities have estimated the values of all the confiscated item at Rs. 60 lakhs.


Many tented shelters were discovered at the spot indicating that the place was a base for an organized illegal sand mining racket. As the outfit is located in Bajpe Police Station jurisdiction, further investigation will be done by them.
The raid was led by Sub Inspector Akshay (an IPS Probationary Officer under trainee posting), and Prasanna, Sub Inspector of Bantwal Rural Police Station, along with constable Basavaraj and assistant head constable Kiran.


The operation was conducted under the overall command of Dr. B.R. Ravikanthe Gowda, Superintendent of Police of Dakshina Kannada District, who has subsequently commended the efforts of all the police personnel involved in the raid.